Sweden thrashes Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey to top Group F after opening World Cup win
A brace from Yasin Ayari and goals from Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Mattias Svanberg powered Sweden to a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia in the FIFA World Cup Group F opener at Monterrey's Estadio BBVA.
Sweden strikes early and often
Sweden wasted no time asserting dominance. Goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh misjudged a long ball in the 7th minute, and after a frantic scramble, Yasin Ayari volleyed home from outside the box. The Brighton midfielder – whose father is Tunisian – did not celebrate his goal. Sweden kept pressing, and in the 30th minute Viktor Gyökeres launched a quick counter, freeing Alexander Isak to cut inside and fire a low shot that slipped under Chamakh.
Tunisia pulls one back before halftime
Against the run of play, Tunisia found a lifeline two minutes before the break. Hannibal Mejbri swung in a cross from the right and defender Omar Rekik angled a header into the far corner. The goal lifted the Eagles of Carthage, who emerged for the second half with more possession and set-piece threat.
Second-half onslaught seals rout
Tunisia’s hope evaporated in the 59th minute. Ellyes Skhiri lost the ball under pressure from Isak near his own area, Isak quickly fed Gyökeres, and the striker rifled past Chamakh for 3-1. Mattias Svanberg added a fourth in the 84th minute after a long VAR check, and deep into stoppage time Ayari struck his second from distance off a Lucas Bergvall pass. Sweden’s pace on the counter and clinical finishing proved too much.
- Yasin Ayari volleys in from outside the box to open the scoring.
- Alexander Isak cuts inside and shoots low past Chamakh for 2-0.
- Omar Rekik heads in Hannibal Mejbri's cross to pull one back for Tunisia.
- Isak sets up Viktor Gyökeres, who blasts home from close range for 3-1.
- Mattias Svanberg nets Sweden's fourth after a lengthy VAR review.
- Ayari scores his second with a long-range strike in added time.
Group F standings and what’s next
Earlier on Sunday, Netherlands and Japan drew 2-2 in Arlington, leaving Sweden top of Group F on goal difference. The result gives Graham Potter’s side breathing room ahead of their second match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday. Tunisia, meanwhile, face Japan in Monterrey the same day, needing a result to keep their knockout hopes alive.
